Hampshire Collegiate School Pupils return from Cricket Tour to India

Cricketers from Hampshire Collegiate School returned exhausted, yet exhilarated, from an eleven day trip to India, which took place at half-term.

Thirteen pupils from Year 11 and Year 13, travelled to The International School, Bangalore (T.I.S.B.) to compete against unknown opposition, in very different (and sometimes challenging) conditions.

Following a marathon 36 hour outward journey, the team had to prepare quickly for their first match against the strongest team, the day after they arrived. Despite chances to win the match, the team were narrowly defeated, which was a real shame, as the standard of performances in the next three matches saw HCS dominant and achieve three straight wins. Unfortunately, the draw did not allow for a semi-final and a chance to take on once again, the eventual winners, a local public school Cambridge. All players gave of their best in testing conditions. Three wins out of four matches, a double-wicket inter-squad competition, combined with daily fitness from 6.00am, followed by cricket training after breakfast and matches after lunch, certainly gave ample opportunity for the boys to work on and improve their game. In ‘down time’, highly competitive water polo and five- a-side inter squad matches took place, before evening meals and nightly excursions, enabling life to be witnessed from the school buses at night. In all it was a very full, demanding yet inspiring programme!

However, the trip was certainly more than a cricketing experience. The group witnessed the many and varied cultural differences that India has to offer; as well as the amazing contrast in scenery which ranged from the bustling southern city of Bangalore, to the peaceful calm of Hindu temples in Belur and the coffee plantations in the far West of Chikmagalur.

The pupils also visited three orphanages. These were Swanthana, a home for disabled and abandoned girls, Suryodaya, for orphaned boys and Sneha care home and Shining Star School, for orphaned children living with HIV. All three visits were enlightening and inspiring, and certainly had a profound impact on the HCS squad. The money raised at HCS recently through a ‘home clothes’ day have assisted the charities’ in their work and will continue to be used over the forthcoming year and all three have expressed their gratitude for the support provided by pupils at HCS.

HCS pupils and staff were extremely grateful to the Principal of T.I.S.B. Dr Matthew Sullivan and the staff, who were their hosts throughout the visit. Everyone enjoyed the extensive range of facilities on offer and all were made to feel extremely welcome.
HCS Cricket Master, Ian Stuart who accompanied the pupils on the trip, said; “Congratulations must go to all the pupils who behaved impressively both on and off the field. They were impressive ambassadors for HCS and will have returned to school weary, yet wiser, from a life-shaping experience!”